Growing up on the tough streets of East Los Angeles, Gilbert Polanco took note of street art.

"The graffiti caught my attention," the Specialist assigned to 5^th Battalion, 20^th Infantry Regiment, said.

"It wasn't long before I began to put my name on trains, busses and lamp posts."

Judging from what Polanco, who has never taken an art class, has drawn, it must have been some darn fine good urban artwork.

As Polanco grew older, his talent for drawing improved.  His middle school teachers encouraged his skills; a high school teacher shaped and directed them at architecture.

I paused.  How, I wondered, would the artwork - which is bold, colorful, creative, made and better than most art I see on CD jackets and the like - help him to become an architect?

"My artwork is a window into architecture," Polanco explained with a smile.  "And when I hear music, especially Bach, I can visualize something."

Art combined with music would equal architecture.  I told Polanco I needed an illustration.  Happily, he complied.

He went on to tell me that he sees what he hears.  To illustrate, he told me about Bach's "Air On G."

This piece of music is one of Polanco's favorites.   He said that as he listened to measures five through eleven, he began to visualize a six-story music museum. 

"This is what I want to do as an architect," Polanco continued as he showed me a conceptual drawing for the museum on his computer.

"The buildings and homes I want to design are more than just walls and floors and ceilings," he said. 

"I want them to be in tune with our spiritual side."

Once his tour with the Army is over, Polanco plans on earning his degree in architecture, most likely at UCLA.

"I'm still exploring; I haven't found my niche yet; I'm still trying to find a style" he said as he held in his hand some artwork that surpasses anything I've ever seen.

Trust me.  When this Soldier finds the right mix between music, art and architecture, he will make a statement - loud and clear - in the world of art.